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Action Plan
Not sure where to go? Fancy something different? Need some inspiration?
If this is you then here are a few tips on how to plan a trip.
To get the ball rolling you need to make a few decisions. The first things you need to decide are –
- How long do you want to go for?
- What type of things do you enjoy doing?
- What countries do you fancy seeing?
- How much money do you have to spend?
Once you have answered these questions you will be in a better position to start planning your trip. The combination of the activities you enjoy and the countries you fancy seeing should help you decide on a destination. If you still can’t make a decision on where to go or you still need inspiration, stick a pin in a map at random and research the area or continent you choose. Most of the world is accessible these days and you may be pleasantly surprised about places you would never have considered in the past. It doesn’t take too much research to find a wealth of information on almost any country. My advice is –
- Be adventurous
- Keep an open mind
- Pick somewhere you have never been
- Do plenty of research
If you do lots of research about your destination it will save you loads of valuable time once you are there. You don’t want to become an anorak and plan every second of your trip because spontaneity is a large part of travel. You want to be armed with enough information to allow you to get the most out of the time you spend away.
There are a few things that are important when you are doing your research –
Make sure the country is safe to travel
- Government sources and Embassy’s can help with this
Search for cultural differences
- This will prepare you for your trip and get you used to local customs
Match the things you like to do with the areas in the country that offer these activities
Make a rough schedule of things you would like to do
- Be prepared to change this plan and keep an open mind to encourage spontaneity
When you have decided where, how long and when you can plan the next step. Here is a checklist of things you need to do before you travel –
Passports
- are they valid for at least 3 months after your planned return date?
Visas
- do you need a visa for the country (s) you intend to travel. Embassies and government sources will help you out with this.
Insurance
- make sure you match the type of insurance you buy to the type of holiday you are going on. (see our section on insurance)
Medicine and Inoculations (injections)
- you may need to get some vaccinations before you travel and you may need medicine for malaria etc. Go to your doctor at least 2 months in advance if possible because some of the injections take time to administer.
Equipment
- do you have the right equipment for the place you intend to travel. i.e. Sun Screen, Mosquito net/repellent, Torch, Tent, Backpack, etc etc (see our shop for more ideas and checklists)
Planning a journey can be broken down in to three steps –
Planning
Research
Preparations
When planning your trip, following these steps will help you to make the right decisions. You will open your mind to new ideas and unlock a world of adventure.